Australian Army takes delivery of more M1A2 MBTs
Australia received an initial batch of M1A2 MBTs from the US in late 2024. (US Army)
The Australian Army has taken delivery of an additional batch of General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 (System Enhancement Package Version 3) main battle tanks (MBTs) from the United States.
An Australian Department of Defence (DoD) spokesperson told Janes on 25 July that in addition to the new batch of M1A2 MBTs, the army has also taken delivery of an unspecified number of GDLS M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles (ABVs) and M1110 Joint Assault Bridge (JAB) vehicles, collectively known as combat engineering vehicles. The spokesperson did not confirm the number of M1A2s to be delivered in the new batch.
Janes understands that deliveries of the M1A2s and combat engineering vehicles are expected to be completed by 2026.
These deliveries follow an order placed by the Australian Army in 2022 for 75 M1A2s, 29 M1150 ABVs, and 17 M1110 JAB vehicles. Australia received an initial batch of 46 M1A2s in late 2024 and an unknown number of combat engineering vehicles in early 2025.
According to Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Armoured Fighting Vehicles , the M1A2 is protected by composite advanced armours, armed with a 120 mm smoothbore gun, and powered by a bespoke gas-turbine engine. It is capable of a top speed of 67.6 km/h on roads and 48 km/h cross-country and has an operating range of 426 km from its 1,907 litres of onboard fuel. The M1A2 can accelerate from 0 to 32 km/h in 7.2 seconds, climb a 60% gradient at 6.6 km/h, and ford to a depth of 1.2 m without preparation.
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